CEFR Level
to make a hole or holes through something
"The machine can perforate sheets of paper for easy tearing."
by necessity; inevitably
"He had to perforce accept the decision."
the point in the orbit of the moon or a satellite at which it is nearest to the Earth
"The moon appeared much larger during its perigee."
The quality or state of being regular or recurring at intervals.
"The periodicity of the moon’s phases has fascinated humans for centuries."
Traveling from place to place, especially for work or based on lifestyle.
"He led a peripatetic life as a traveling teacher."
A continuous porch formed by a row of columns surrounding the perimeter of a building or courtyard.
"The Roman villa featured a beautiful peristyle garden."
To knowingly tell a lie in a court of law after swearing to tell the truth.
"He was accused of trying to perjure himself during the trial."
The concluding part of a speech, often intended to inspire or persuade.
"The politician's peroration left the audience applauding enthusiastically."
Permanence, eternity, continuity.
"The contract ensures payments in perpetuity."
a special privilege or benefit attached to a position or job
"A company car is one of the perquisites of the job."
a legal right to certain benefits or privileges associated with a job or office
"The judge enjoyed certain perquisite rights attached to his position."
light and slightly contemptuous mockery or banter
"Their conversation was full of persiflage and jokes."
an important or famous person
"He is considered a great personage in the world of literature."
Having a ready insight into and understanding of things.
"The perspicacious student quickly understood the complex problem."
The quality of having a ready insight into things; shrewdness.
"Her perspicacity in analyzing complex issues impressed everyone."
Clarity and ease in speech or writing; the quality of being clearly expressed.
"The perspicuity of his lecture made it easy for students to understand complex topics."
Clearly expressed and easily understood; lucid.
"The teacher gave a perspicuous explanation of the theory."
holding firmly to an opinion, purpose, or course of action; stubbornly persistent
"The pertinacious lawyer refused to give up the case."
The quality of being stubbornly persistent or resolute in purpose.
"Her pertinacity in pursuing justice inspired everyone around her."
boldness or forwardness in speech or behavior; sauciness
"Her pertness during the meeting surprised everyone."
A state of anxiety, disturbance, or disorder.
"The announcement caused a perturbation in the financial markets."
The action of reading or examining something carefully.
"The contract was given to the lawyer for perusal."
the act of spreading through or being present everywhere in something
"There was a pervasion of hope throughout the community."
Allowing water, air, or other substances to pass through; permeable.
"The soil here is pervious to rainwater."
A deadly or virulent epidemic disease that spreads rapidly.
"The medieval city was devastated by a pestilence."
Causing or tending to cause death or destruction; harmful or pernicious.
"The pestilent atmosphere of the swamp made people sick."
Relating to or causing pestilence; very harmful, troublesome, or dangerous.
"The pestilential smell of the garbage filled the street."
a description or representation of rocks, especially in detailed scientific writing
"The scientist studied the petrograph to understand the rock composition."
to argue or quibble over trivial matters; to engage in petty, dishonest practices
"The lawyer was accused of trying to pettifog instead of addressing the real issue."
The quality of being childishly sulky or bad-tempered.
"His petulance during the meeting annoyed everyone."
A group of people or things arranged in a compact, close formation; also an ancient Greek military formation.
"A phalanx of reporters waited outside the courthouse."
an illusion, ghost, or figment of the imagination
"The child claimed to see a phantasm in the old house."
Having a fantastic, dreamlike, or surreal appearance, often shifting or illusory.
"The movie created a phantasmagorical vision of another world."
Excessively concerned with formal rules or outward show of morality, often in a hypocritical way.
"His pharisaical behavior made people doubt his sincerity."
A member of an ancient Jewish sect; by extension, a self-righteous or hypocritical person.
"He acted like a pharisee, judging others while ignoring his own faults."
An official book listing medicinal drugs, their effects, and directions for use.
"The doctor referred to the pharmacopoeia to check the drug's proper dosage."
a small glass container for liquids, especially medicines
"The doctor gave her a phial of medicine."
to engage in casual or frivolous romantic or sexual relationships
"He was known to philander with many women in town."
a man who habitually engages in casual romantic or sexual affairs
"The politician was exposed as a notorious philanderer."
a person who collects or studies postage stamps
"The philatelist spent years building a rare stamp collection."
the collection and study of postage stamps
"Philately is a hobby enjoyed by people of all ages."
a person who is indifferent or hostile to culture and the arts
"He was criticized as a philistine for dismissing modern art."
a person who loves or admires women
"As a known philogynist, he advocated for women's education."
a person who studies languages and their history
"The philologist analyzed ancient texts to understand language evolution."
the study of language in written historical sources; linguistics
"She devoted her career to philology, researching ancient manuscripts."
to think or talk about the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence
"He likes to philosophize about life and its meaning."
having an unemotional and stolidly calm disposition
"Despite the chaos, he remained phlegmatic and composed."
a written symbol representing a speech sound
"The teacher showed how each phonogram represents a particular sound."
the study of the sound system of a language
"She is studying phonology to understand how sounds function in English."
the property of emitting light without noticeable heat
"The deep-sea creatures displayed a beautiful phosphorescence."
